Whoever said times were tough wasn’t lying. It has been almost three years since I donned that horrendous burgundy graduation gown, and walked out of the rustic Loyola halls with my diploma in hand.

I had big dreams for the future. I cold literally do anything, or so I thought. Advertising, Public Relations, writing, acting? Little did I know that 2010 was not the best year for graduation. Everybody was struggling. I looked and yes, perhaps I could have looked harder, but the thing was that I expected a job, and not just another internship. After completing four during college, wouldn’t that technically add up to 2 years of experience? Guess not.

And many reached out. They really did, they’d say things like “you have a great resume, take this internship for $10 an hour and then we’ll see where it goes.”

Excuse me? “We’ll see where it goes?” What does that mean exactly? Like you may or may not hire me?

The problem, or blessing as some would say, is that I already had a job. A part-time job I’d had since my senior year of high school at a sales center. This part-time job had me rolling in the dough. Well, kind of. It certainly facilitated my shoe and handbag obsession, and a $10 an hour internship simply could not compete.

So I did the unthinkable, or what now a days is pretty much considered the norm, and moved back home. It was painful, but I definitely saved some money. Oh yes, plenty of money. Sure, I suffered through my mothers “house rules” and had to adhere to a curfew but I can honestly say it was worth it because….

I PAID OFF MY STUDENT LOAN DEBT! Literally $40,000. Dunzo! I’ve heard many complain that they spent an obscene amount of money on a worthless degree because they have been unable to find a satisfying job, but for me, at least now, it doesn’t matter if the degree is worthless or not, because baby, it is paid!

So in a sense I’m back at the beginning. Loans are paid and it’s time to move on to a more challenging position. I finally came to the realization that I may have to start as an intern again, but I think I am absolutely fine with that. Mostly because I have no debt and plenty of savings, which means when I finally move out and into my own apartment, it will actually be furnished. And that is something I simply cannot wait for!

So I suppose it is time to update this site, as here is where the big girl job search begins…